Tag: Revelation 4:1

Light in the Last Days – Day 52

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Human nature loves a deadline. If you knew your family was arriving from across the country next Tuesday, you’d likely wait until Monday night to clean the house. But the Rapture isn’t a deadline to be met; it’s a presence to be prepared for. By keeping the timing a secret, God protects us from the danger of spiritual procrastination. Just as you would want your home ready at any moment for a beloved guest, the unknown timing of the Rapture calls us to live in a state of perpetual readiness, ensuring our spiritual ‘guest rooms’ are always in order.

Different views:

  1. Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
  2. Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
  3. Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
  4. Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)

Our final study focuses on the Post-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint. This perspective argues that the Rapture occurs at the very end of the Great Tribulation, aligning with the end of the 2,520-day prophetic period. Under this belief, the Rapture and the Second Coming are not two separate occurrences; instead, the Church is caught up to meet Christ in the air and immediately returns with Him to Earth. Ultimately, this view maintains that Jesus returns only once, marking His final Second Coming.

This viewpoint centers on the idea that since God’s people have faced persecution throughout history, the Church must also endure the Tribulation. However, this creates a significant conflict with Romans 8:1, which promises that those in Christ are not under condemnation and are exempt from God’s wrath. Since the Tribulation judgments affect everyone on Earth, this would place the Church under the very wrath they were promised to avoid. Additionally, this view struggles to account for Jesus’ promise in John 14:1-3 to prepare a place for us in Heaven. If believers simply meet Him in the air and immediately return to Earth for the Millennium, they would never actually inhabit the heavenly mansions He went to prepare.

To summarize, the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is the only viewpoint that addresses the fact that the Church disappears from the text from Revelation 4:1 through Revelation 21. While other views interpret the “saints” in these chapters as the Church, this overlooks a vital difference. Those saints are a separate group of believers enduring the Tribulation, distinct from the Church, the Bride of Christ, who has already been gathered.

The Rapture is an imminent event with no specific timeline, yet two other viewpoints rely on a predictable calendar. This calendar starts with the peace treaty mentioned in Daniel 9:27. If we followed the Mid-Tribulation theory, anyone could calculate the exact day by counting 1,260 days from that event. If the Post-Tribulation view were true, the date would be known after 2,520 days. These theories contradict the idea that Christ could return at any moment. Similarly, the Pre-Wrath view assumes the Church must endure the first five Seal judgments, but it cannot answer for the Church’s total absence from the biblical text starting in Revelation 4:1.

Only the Pre-Tribulation position provides a consistent answer for the Church’s disappearance from Revelation 4:1 through 22:15. Consider the data: the term “church” is used 7 times and “churches” 12 times within Revelation chapters 1 through 3. Yet, throughout the subsequent chapters of judgment, these words vanish entirely until Revelation 22:16. This clear pattern strongly suggests that the Church has already been removed before the Tribulation begins, leaving the judgments to fall on those remaining.

You must be born again in order to participate, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 52

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment

Have you ever thought about why we don’t know the exact date of the Rapture? It’s a lot like waiting for family to visit from across the country. You don’t just sit around; you get the house ready, plan the menus, and look forward to their arrival with excitement. If you knew they were coming on a specific Tuesday, you’d probably wait until Monday night to clean. By keeping the timing a mystery, God encourages us to live every day as if it’s the day He returns.

Different views:

  1. Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
  2. Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
  3. Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
  4. Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)

The Post-Tribulation viewpoint marks the final perspective in our series, and it’s unique because it places the Rapture right at the very end of the Great Tribulation. The core of this teaching is that the Church remains on earth through the entire seven-year period, eventually meeting Christ in the air as He returns to establish His kingdom. However, this creates a major shift in how we view the event: since the Bible defines the Tribulation as lasting exactly 2,520 days (seven prophetic years), this view effectively turns the Rapture into a scheduled event rather than a surprise. Instead of looking for Christ at any moment, this belief system naturally leads to a countdown, setting a specific “expected date” for the Rapture to occur based on when the Tribulation begins.

This view basically says the Rapture and the Second Coming happen back-to-back. Believers are caught up to the clouds and then immediately ride back down with Christ to Earth. To put it simply, they believe there is only one “coming” of Jesus, and it happens entirely at the end of the Tribulation. This is a great chart differentiating between the two:

Proponents of this view point to historical persecution as a reason for the Church to remain through the Tribulation, but this overlooks the distinction between human persecution and divine wrath. Romans 8:1 explicitly states the Church is not subject to condemnation, yet the global judgments of the Tribulation would affect everyone present. Furthermore, this model leaves no time for the fulfillment of Acts 1:9–11 and John 14, where Jesus prepares a heavenly home for His followers. In a Post-Tribulation scenario, the Church meets Jesus in the air and immediately descends to fight Satan’s armies and enter the Millennium, essentially bypassing the “mansions” He went to prepare.

Except for the Pre-Tribulation view, most perspectives fail to account for the Church’s total disappearance from the text between Revelation 4:1 and chapter 21. While many assume the “saints” in these chapters refer to the Church, a closer look suggests these are actually individuals saved during the Tribulation, distinct from the Church, the Bride of Christ.

If the Rapture were Mid- or Post-Tribulation, it wouldn’t be imminent anymore—it would be a math problem. Since the Tribulation starts with a specific peace treaty (Daniel 9:27), you would just count 1,260 or 2,520 days to find the exact date. That completely gets rid of the “any moment” expectation we see in the Pre-Trib view. Even the Pre-Wrath position, which avoids the countdown, still puts the Church in the middle of the first five seals despite the fact that the word “Church” totally disappears from the book of Revelation after chapter 4.

The Pre-Tribulation viewpoint provides a consistent answer for both the timing of the Rapture and the Church’s total absence from Revelation 4:1 through 22:15. While the words “church” or “churches” appear 19 times in the first three chapters, they vanish entirely during the period of global judgment, only reappearing at the very end in Revelation 22:16. This linguistic shift strongly suggests that the Church is not present on Earth while God’s wrath is being poured out.

You must be born again in order to participate, no matter what viewpoint you hold. Friend, if you are not born again, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved if you are not already. Don’t you want to be a part of the Church when she is raptured into the clouds to meet Jesus? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 50

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment

As we begin exploring the different perspectives on the Rapture, you’ll notice that almost every view hinges on one specific detail: timing. You might wonder why the “when” matters so much. Think about the last time you expected a loved one to visit from thousands of miles away. Because you knew they were coming, you spent days preparing the guest room, planning their favorite meals, and clearing your schedule. In the same way, understanding the timing of Christ’s return shifts our perspective from passive observation to active, joyful preparation.

Different views:

  1. Pre-Tribulation (imminent – no prophecy needs to be fulfilled – it can happen at any time)
  2. Mid-Tribulation (half-way through the Tribulation at the 1,260 day mark)
  3. Pre-Wrath (at the sixth seal judgment)
  4. Post-Tribulation (after the Tribulation at the 2,520 day mark)

Today, we’re exploring the Mid-Tribulation perspective: the belief that the Church will be caught up to meet the Lord at the precise midpoint of the seven-year Tribulation. Proponents of this view suggest that believers will go through the first three and a half years of wrath before being rescued. But what is the biblical basis for this? It largely hinges on how one interprets Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 15:52. Mid-Tribulationists identify his mention of the “last trump” as the seventh and final trumpet judgment described in Revelation 11, linking the two events as a single moment in prophetic history.

1 Corinthians 15:52  In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

However, the seven trumpets of Revelation are synonymous with judgment, not deliverance. There is no “blessed hope” to be found in them; rather, they represent a series of increasingly severe trials. If these trumpets are purely an expression of judgment, it raises the question of whether the “last trump” of our rescue could truly be part of such a sorrowful sequence. Let’s take a look at them in Revelation chapters 8, 9 and 11:

  1. Trumpet #1 – In Revelation 8, we see that the judgment trumpets are delivered to and sounded by angels. In contrast, 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18 describes a much more personal event: the Lord Himself descends with a shout and the “trump of God.” This phrase is unique, appearing nowhere else in the Old or New Testaments. While the angelic trumpets of Revelation usher in devastation—such as the first judgment of fire, hail, and blood—the “trump of God” is a sovereign call of grace. It is not a summons to judgment, but a beckoning for the Church to come home.
  2. The second trumpet in verse 8 destroys one third of sea life and ships on the seas.
  3. The third trumpet in verse 10 destroys one third of the rivers and fountains of water and poisons them.
  4. The fourth trumpet in verse 12 darkens one third of the sun, moon and stars.
  5. The fifth trumpet in 9:1 releases the first woe which opens the bottomless pit and the horrible effects of the demonic locusts.
  6. The sixth trumpet in verse 13 makes releases the second woe which releases the four angels bound in the Euphrates who kill one third of all mankind. It is here where the Two Prophets preach and do miracles.
  7. The seventh trumpet is found in 11:15 which reveals Christ’s reign to come.

Finally, it is worth noting that the seven trumpets of Revelation are not actually the “last” trumpets mentioned in the New Testament. Jesus speaks of a subsequent trumpet in Matthew 24:31. In this passage, which describes His Second Coming, He sends His angels to gather His elect “from one end of heaven to the other.” This suggests that the trumpet associated with Christ’s return in glory is distinct from the series of judgments found in the book of Revelation.

Matthew 24:31  And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

This specific trumpet refers to the Second Coming, when Christ returns to the world with His Bride. It acts as a divine signal, calling the Church together to join Him in the final battle. While the Rapture was a private meeting in the air, this trumpet announces a public, triumphant return for the purpose of final judgment and victory.

Consequently, this perspective fails to align with the spirit of encouragement found in Paul’s teachings on the Rapture. By placing the Church within the timeframe of the trumpet judgments, the “comfort” Paul speaks of is overshadowed by the reality of divine retribution. To maintain the integrity of Paul’s message, we must distinguish between the sound of judgment for the world and the sound of rescue for the believer.

1 Thessalonians 4:18  Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

1 Thessalonians 5:11  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

We find great peace in knowing that the Church is not the target of the coming Trumpet Judgments. Scripturally, judgment is reserved for those who have turned away from God’s Word and declined His gift of salvation. As Christ’s Bride, our position is one of grace; while the world faces the consequences of disobedience, we rest in the promise that we are protected from the coming storm of wrath.

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Now let’s look at the timing of the Mid-Tribulation Rapture viewpoint.

Matthew 24:36  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matthew 24:50  The lord of that servant shall come in a day when he looketh not for him, and in an hour that he is not aware of,

Matthew 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

Mark 13:32  But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.

Luke 12:46  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

We must acknowledge that the timing of the Rapture is known to the Father alone. Like the five wise virgins who carried oil in their lamps, those who are sealed by the Spirit until the day of redemption will be ready when the shout goes forth. They will enter the marriage, and the door will be shut—marking a finality that is reserved for the faithful (Matthew 25:10). This unique moment of grace for the Church is underscored in Revelation 3:7, reminding us that our entry is secured by the One who opens the way for His Bride.

Revelation 3:7  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;

The entrance into Heaven is the Shepherd’s door, reserved for the sheep who recognize His voice and are known by Him personally (John 10:3, 27). At the moment of the Rapture, Christ, our Bridegroom, will shut that door, and once closed, no human power can reopen it. This is the unique privilege of the Church (exemplified by the Philadelphia church), who will then witness the unfolding judgments on earth from the safety and perspective of Heaven.

Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

In our next study, we will move to the next viewpoint. But as we wait, the most important question remains: are you prepared to meet the Lord? Participation in the Rapture isn’t about having the right chart or timeline; it is about being born again into the family of God. If you aren’t sure, please know that you are not here by chance. God is reaching out to you today. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of the Bride of Christ when He calls us home to meet Him in the air. (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 44

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The topic of God’s wrath remains a subject of intense controversy among believers today. To understand this difficult topic, we must address the concerns: who will be subject to this judgment, why has God determined it necessary to dispense judgment, and what is the timing for this wrath to be fully revealed?

1 Thessalonians 5:9-11  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  (11)  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-8  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  (2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  (3)  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  (4)  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  (5)  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  (6)  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  (7)  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  ( 8 )  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

First, let us examine the intended targets of God’s wrath. Supporters of mid-tribulation, pre-wrath, and post-tribulation theories suggest that believers will remain on earth for all or part of the Tribulation. However, identifying exactly who God’s wrath is directed toward reveals that the Church is not among them. Based on this distinction, one can only conclude that the Church will be absent when this wrath is dispensed.

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:4-6  When Christ, who is our life, shall appear, then shall ye also appear with him in glory.  (5)  Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; (6) fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

If the scriptures identify “children of disobedience,” then it stands to reason there are also “children of obedience.” The distinction between the two is found in their actions and their standing before God. As shown in Colossians 3:4-6, the children of disobedience are defined by the practice of the sins listed in those verses. In contrast, the born-again believer, the child of obedience, is one who has obeyed the Gospel and received full forgiveness and no longer makes sin a practice. The born-again child is not sinless, but will sin less!

1 John 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

From this, we can conclude that God’s wrath is directed specifically at the children of disobedience. This judgment is the consequence of a heart that remains unrepentant and closed to God’s grace.

Romans 2:5  But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God;

By repenting and receiving Jesus Christ, the Church stands forgiven and protected by His sacrifice. We are spared from the outpouring of God’s wrath that is coming to the world. Paul’s epistles beautifully illustrate this for us: once a person is born again, they are indwelt by the Holy Spirit. This presence of the Spirit serves as a guarantee, sealing the believer safely until the moment of our redemption.

Romans 8:1  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Ephesians 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

Now that we have confirmed that God’s Word excludes the Church from His wrath, let us look closer at today’s passage. In 1 Thessalonians 5:9-10, what is the precise definition of the salvation mentioned, and how does it apply to our current understanding? The Greek word for salvation is:

σωτηρία
sōtēria
so-tay-ree’-ah
Feminine of a derivative of G4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physically or morally): – deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.

It is important to recognize that salvation can have different meanings depending on the scripture. While it often describes being saved from sin (John 14:6), Paul’s use of the word in 1 Thessalonians 5:9 is set within a discussion about the Rapture. We must interpret the verse according to that specific theme.

1 Thessalonians 5:1-11  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  (2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  (3)  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  (4)  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  (5)  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  (6)  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  (7)  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  ( 8 )  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  (9)  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,  (10)  Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.  (11)  Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

We can see a significant shift in the book of Revelation: after chapter 3, the Church is no longer mentioned. Once John is called to “Come up hither” to see the events that “must be hereafter,” the focus changes. The same door that was promised to the Philadelphia church in Revelation 3:8 and 3:10 reappears in Revelation 4:1. This specific door is mentioned only three times in the entire book of Revelation, serving as a key indicator for the Church’s location.

Revelation 3:8-10  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.  (9)  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.  (10)  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

After the Bridegroom comes to take the Church to the marriage, the door is shut. This follows the pattern Christ established in Matthew 25, where He used the parable of the virgins to demonstrate the closing of the door upon His arrival.

Matthew 25:10  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

When the Rapture occurs and that door is shut, no further entrance is possible, leaving the rest of the world to face God’s judgment. Scripture clearly shows us this shift: chapter 5 of Revelation shows the glory of Heaven, while chapter 6 introduces the Seven Seals. This progression makes it undeniably clear who is falling under the weight of the wrath of the Lamb.

Revelation 6:16-17  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:  (17)  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

The question remains: who will be able to stand? If the Church were intended to endure any part of the Tribulation, she would surely be equipped to stand through it. However, this verse suggests otherwise. Friend, your presence here today is not an accident; God has placed you in this moment so that you might find salvation while there is still time. I invite you to consider your standing, don’t you want to be among those in the Church who are caught up to meet Jesus in the clouds? (1 Thessalonians 4:17) Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 20

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment
Photography by Bonnie Cipriani

Matthew 25:2-13  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  (3)  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  (4)  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  (5)  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  (6)  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  (7)  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  ( 8 )  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  (9)  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  (10)  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  (11)  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  (12)  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  (13)  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

I have always found the history of weddings fascinating, but nothing compares to the beauty of a traditional Jewish Galilean wedding as seen in Scripture and historical records. When you study the parallels between these ancient customs and the relationship between Jesus and His Church, the spiritual insights are truly profound. If you are born again, diving into this study will surely bring you as much joy and reason to rejoice as it has for me!

Through the story of the wedding feast, Jesus gives us a beautiful yet sobering lesson on readiness. As you read these words again, try to picture the scene in your heart. It’s a call to examine our own lamps and ensure we are prepared for that glorious moment when He finally arrives.

I truly believe this story points directly to the Rapture! When we see oil mentioned in the Bible, it almost always refers to the Holy Spirit. It’s a beautiful reminder that just as oil was used to set people apart for God’s work, we are anointed by the Spirit upon salvation. He dwells within us eternally, a constant presence that will never depart. Can I get an amen?

1 John 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Looking at this parable, we see ten virgins, yet only five are ready for the Bridegroom. Why the difference? It all comes down to the oil. The five wise virgins possessed the Holy Spirit (the oil), while the five foolish ones did not. These foolish virgins represent people who may identify as Christians outwardly but have never been truly born again. They carry the ‘lamp’ of religion but lack the ‘oil’ of the Spirit’s indwelling presence. Their lack of salvation is confirmed by the Lord’s own words in verse 12:

Matthew 25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

John 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Jesus is clear: He has no relationship with the foolish virgins. He only recognizes those who are born again and sealed with the Holy Spirit. To be ‘known’ by Him is the defining mark of a true follower!

Now, let’s consider the five wise virgins, who represent the Church. They possess both their lamps—symbolizing their role as the light of the world—and their oil, which represents the Holy Spirit. When the Bridegroom arrives for His Church, the contrast becomes clear: the five foolish virgins, lacking the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that comes through true salvation, were caught unprepared. By the time they attempted to find oil and return, they found the door firmly shut, and Jesus issued that staggering response: He did not know them. It is a sobering reminder of the necessity of a genuine spiritual foundation.

Revelation 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Can you picture the scene in churches across the world immediately following the Rapture? Imagine the shock of those left behind as they realize their pews are empty and they have missed this glorious event because they weren’t truly born again. They will face the horrific judgments of the Tribulation and the soul-defining choice of whether to take the Mark of the Beast. Even those who find salvation during this time must still endure these global catastrophes, facing martyrdom or a desperate life of survival underground. With so much at stake, why would anyone delay their decision for Christ?

Coming from a Catholic background, I hadn’t heard of the Rapture before finding Christ. But once I was saved, the excitement of being included in that blessed event changed everything for me. It is a heavy thought to realize how many people are choosing the world’s way over the free salvation and personal relationship the Lord offers us today.

If you aren’t sure of your salvation, let this be a turning point for you. It’s no accident that you’ve found this message today. God is reaching out to you in this very moment, providing an opportunity for you to be born again and secure your place with Him eternally. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 16

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Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Today’s study is a deep dive, and I truly hope you’ll stay with me to the very end—it is so worth it! I’ll admit, the Book of Revelation used to feel overwhelming to me. However, through careful study, I’ve found the key to understanding its message. Remember, the Lord promises a unique blessing to those who read, hear, and live out the words of this prophecy. It’s the only book in the Bible with such a specific promise attached! So, let’s jump in and receive that blessing together.

Revelation 1:3  Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written therein: for the time is at hand.

Revelation 22:7  Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book.

I learned early on in my research that whenever the Apostle John records an image that feels ‘out of this world’ or like a Star Trek special effect, it is likely intended to be symbolic rather than literal. Take a look at this example:

Revelation 9:7  And the shapes of the locusts were like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads were as it were crowns like gold, and their faces were as the faces of men.

While that serves as a clear example of symbolism, I found that when the descriptions in Revelation felt grounded and realistic, they should be interpreted literally. A compelling example of this literal approach is:

Revelation 8:10-11  And the third angel sounded, and there fell a great star from heaven, burning as it were a lamp, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers, and upon the fountains of waters;  (11)  And the name of the star is called Wormwood: and the third part of the waters became wormwood; and many men died of the waters, because they were made bitter.

In literal terms, this star could be a comet or an asteroid. It’s likely that a body like Wormwood will be discovered by NASA in the coming years, potentially leading to the catastrophic water pollution described in the text. Consider how Noah Webster defines the word ‘wormwood’ itself:

WORMWOOD, n. [G.] A plant, the artemisia. It has a bitter nauseous taste;

So we can interpret the verses above literally. A comet will fall to earth and destroy a third part of the rivers and fountains of waters (fresh water) and make the waters bitter and undrinkable. So now we know what to take literally and what to take symbolically.

“It’s time to look at a key piece of the puzzle: the ‘disappearing’ Church in Revelation. If we were meant to be here for the Tribulation, John would have addressed us specifically. But notice the data: the Church is mentioned 18 times in the first three chapters and then—nothing. The word doesn’t appear again until the final chapter of the Bible in verse 22:16. This silence during the Tribulation chapters speaks volumes about our position in Heaven during that time.

Revelation 22:16  I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches. I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star.

Did you know that Revelation 3:22 and Revelation 4:1 were originally consecutive verses? Before chapters and verses were assigned in 1551, the final word to the churches led directly into the vision of an open door in Heaven and the call to ‘Come up hither.’ It’s a thrilling connection! The moment the focus shifts from the churches on earth to the door in heaven, the Church vanishes from the narrative until the very end of the book. Looking at it this way adds a whole new layer of meaning to the Rapture’s timing, wouldn’t you agree

Revelation 3:22  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.

Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

In Revelation 4:1, we don’t see Christ descending to earth; rather, we see John ascending to the Lord’s presence. Jesus explains that He is about to show John future events—those which ‘must be hereafter’—indicating that the period of judgment has not yet begun. This sets the stage for the rest of Chapters 4 and 5, which provide a glimpse into the events unfolding in Heaven, such as the gathering mentioned in Revelation 4:4.

Revelation 4:4  And round about the throne were four and twenty seats: and upon the seats I saw four and twenty elders sitting, clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold.

After salvation, the way we live for Christ leads to the receiving of crowns in Heaven. These rewards serve a higher purpose: we will cast them at the feet of our Savior as we worship Him throughout eternity.

Revelation 4:10-11  The four and twenty elders fall down before him that sat on the throne, and worship him that liveth for ever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying,  (11)  Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

The timing fits perfectly: the Church is called upward to Christ (parallel to John’s journey in Revelation 4) before the first seal of judgment is even broken. We find our safety in Jesus, who acts as our Ark of salvation. While the world faces the coming storms of judgment, we will be safely stationed with Him in the Father’s house.

Hebrews 11:7  By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.

Noah’s faithfulness led to his safety during the judgment of the entire earth. Just as he transitioned from the ark to a new life on Mount Ararat, we are destined to return with Christ to a transformed earth, joining Him as He reigns in glory from Jerusalem.

The beauty of the Pre-Tribulation viewpoint lies in its imminency. If the Rapture occurred at the midpoint or the end of the Tribulation, we could simply count down the days (such as the 1,260 days mentioned in prophecy) and know exactly when to expect Him. But Scripture tells us that ‘of that day and hour knoweth no man.’ Just as Noah was unaware of the specific start of the flood, we remain in a state of constant readiness. Once the Lord closes the door to safety, the time for preparation is over.

Luke 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

Matthew 24:36-42  But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only.  (37)  But as the days of Noe were, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (38)  For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark,  (39)  And knew not until the flood came, and took them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.  (40)  Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (41)  Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left.  (42)  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

The total silence regarding the Church after Revelation 4:1 is one of the strongest evidences for a Pre-Tribulation Rapture. With the Church already in Heaven, God turns His attention back to Israel to complete the final ‘week’ of Daniel’s prophecy. We are currently in a parenthetical ‘pause’ in Israel’s history known as the Church Age, which ends the moment we hear that heavenly call to ‘come up hither’. From that point forward, the narrative focuses on the 70th week of Daniel—the seven-year Tribulation—which begins when the Antichrist makes himself known through a peace treaty with Israel.

Jeremiah 30:3-7  For, lo, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith the LORD: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it.  (4)  And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.  (5)  For thus saith the LORD; We have heard a voice of trembling, of fear, and not of peace.  (6)  Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, and all faces are turned into paleness?  (7)  Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: it is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; but he shall be saved out of it.

While God loves the whole world, He has a special, distinct love for Israel and the Church. Because Israel did not fully embrace their mission to lead others to Him, God extended the offer of salvation to the Gentiles through Jesus Christ. This inaugurated a ‘break’ in Israel’s prophetic timeline, allowing the Church Age to flourish. However, this wasn’t a new idea; even in the Old Testament, Gentiles like Rahab and Ruth found faith and a place in the Messiah’s genealogy, proving that God’s door has always been open to those who seek Him.

With the arrival of Christ, the Age of Law was paused, marking the end of the first 69 weeks of Daniel’s prophecy and the beginning of the Church Age. This divine ‘pause’ concludes with the Rapture, as God turns His attention back to Israel for the final seven years. The start of this Tribulation period is triggered by the Antichrist signing a peace treaty with Israel, though he will ultimately betray them halfway through those seven years.

Daniel 9:27  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

I know today’s post is a lot to absorb but it sure packs a wallop! Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 13

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment
Photography by Bob Sabo

Matthew 25:13  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

I’ve found our study on the Rapture incredibly encouraging. Looking back to when I first discovered this truth, I saw it as a wonderful expression of God’s grace toward His own. While the unsaved face a future of divine wrath, His children are offered a magnificent hope.

Ephesians 2:2  Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

Ephesians 5:6  Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.

Colossians 3:6  For which things’ sake the wrath of God cometh on the children of disobedience:

Unbelievers are under the influence of the ‘spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience,’ led by the prince of the power of the air. We see the fruit of this influence across our society today. The fact that Fairfax County, Virginia, recognized Transgender Day on the same day in 2024 we celebrated the Resurrection of Christ highlights the growing depravity of our age. This isn’t just a cultural shift; it is a biblical sign of the end times as outlined in 2 Timothy 3:1-9, calling us to a greater boldness in our faith.

Shifting our focus back to the Rapture itself, we have to address the most debated aspect: its timing. Though many believers who hold to mid- or post-tribulation theories have tried to discredit the pre-Tribulation Rapture, the specific timing revealed in the Word stands firm against those challenges.

Remember, the Old Testament revolves around God’s plan for Israel and the impending judgment, not the Church age. Interestingly, the Church is notably absent from the Book of Revelation from chapter four onwards, immediately following this verse:

Revelation 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Scripture presents a striking difference between the timing of the Rapture and the events of the Tribulation. While Matthew 25:13
describes an arrival at an unknown time, Revelation 12:6 gives us a precise count of 1,260 days for Israel’s protection in the wilderness. This specificity in Revelation points to a scheduled period of judgment that differs from the imminent call of the Church.

Revelation 12:6  And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days.

The 1,260 days begin when the Antichrist stands in the Temple and declares himself to be God!

2 Thessalonians 2:3-4  Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;  (4)  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.

This 1,260-day timeframe represents three and a half years—the halfway point of the Tribulation—which aligns perfectly with the prophetic timeline found in the Book of Daniel.

Daniel 9:27  And he shall confirm the covenant with many for one week: and in the midst of the week he shall cause the sacrifice and the oblation to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate, even until the consummation, and that determined shall be poured upon the desolate.

To understand the end times, we must see the Rapture and the Tribulation as separate occurrences. The Lord protects the Church from the Tribulation because that specific time of trial is meant to lead Israel to her Messiah. This period, known as Daniel’s 70th week, returns the focus to Israel after the current ‘pause’ for the Church. Transitioning into the seven most difficult years the world has ever seen offers no hope to those without the Savior; it is a time of judgment, not comfort.

Matthew 24:21  For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.

How can believers find solace in a future of martyrdom and divine judgment? They can’t—which is why the command in 1 Thessalonians 4:18 to ‘comfort one another’ points to a pre-tribulation rescue. Paul’s teachings in 1 Thessalonians are overwhelmingly positive, with an encouraging word about the Lord’s return woven into every chapter. Don’t just take my word for it; read and study these scriptures to see the magnificent gift God has prepared for you.

Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 12

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment

1 Thessalonians 1:9-10  For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; (10)  And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come. 

Good morning! Looking at this sunrise, it’s easy to imagine the Lord just beyond those clouds, waiting for the Father’s word to come and meet us. I find myself living in daily expectation of the Rapture, looking forward to the day our earthly struggles end and we can finally worship at His feet for eternity.

I invite you to share your own excitement for the Rapture in the comments below. While some teach that the Church must face the Tribulation, I find that view leaves little room for the comfort we are called to give one another. If there is no escape from that period of judgment, then the promise of Luke 21:36 loses its power. I choose to look forward to the surprise of His appearing, knowing that He has provided a way for us to stand before the Son of Man instead of facing the wrath to come.

Luke 21:36  Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to ESCAPE all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.

What does it mean for the Rapture to be ‘imminent’? It means it’s ‘at the door’—ready to happen at any time! Even way back in AD 51, Paul was emphasizing this truth to his readers. I encourage you to look at today’s verses and put yourself in Paul’s shoes. He knew the Thessalonians were being shaken by false reports that the Day of the Lord had already arrived. To settle their hearts and remind them of the truth, he sent them this message:

2 Thessalonians 2:1-3  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,  (2)  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. (3) Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;

Paul’s original teachings were being twisted by deceivers, a struggle that feels incredibly modern. Today, the Pre-Tribulation Rapture is a frequent target of criticism and doubt. This wave of skepticism shouldn’t surprise us, though; it’s the very thing the Apostle Peter warned would happen in

2 Peter 3:4  And saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

Before the Tribulation can begin, the ‘Man of Sin’ must be revealed (Daniel 9:27). But unlike the Tribulation, the Rapture has no countdown. This reminds me of Noah’s Ark. Noah spent years building a ship for a storm no one believed was coming because it had never even rained (Genesis 2:5-6). The Ark wasn’t built for navigation; it was built for preservation. Noah didn’t know the day the fountains of the deep would burst open, but he was ready. When the time was right, God took control, shut the door, and kept those eight souls safe and sound until the judgment passed.

Consider how Jesus serves as the ultimate Ark for His Church. The moment we are saved, we step into His divine protection. Because He paid the price for our sins on the cross, we are granted entrance into His ‘Ark’ of safety, shielded from the coming wrath. Through the Rapture (Revelation 3:10, 4:1), He will shelter us in heaven until the day we return with Him at His Second Coming. After He judges the earth, we will enter the Millennial Kingdom together, while the Tribulation saints who survive His return will begin to repopulate the earth!

Why does the timing matter? Because a Rapture that follows a set timeline isn’t ‘imminent’—it’s scheduled. Mid and Post-Tribulation views provide a definite calendar: either three and a half or seven years after the treaty is signed. However, as we see in 2 Thessalonians 2:1-2, the early church lived in a state of constant watchfulness. Their confusion about whether the Day of the Lord had already begun proves they weren’t looking for a mid-point or an end-point; they were looking for Jesus to appear at any moment.

Matthew 24:42  Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.

Christ Himself commands us to watch because the exact hour of His return is unknown. This uncertainty is what keeps our spiritual focus sharp! If we believed the Rapture was tied to a mid or post-Tribulation schedule, that sense of urgency would vanish because we’d be watching the calendar instead of the clouds. Without the hope of His ‘any-moment’ return, one might be tempted to say, ‘I’ll live for myself now and get right with God just before the deadline.’ But a Pre-Tribulation view inspires us to live for the Lord today, ensuring we are never caught off guard.

It’s inspiring to see how the Thessalonians lived every day as if Christ could return at any moment. Paul reassured them that they didn’t need to obsess over prophetic timelines or ‘times and seasons.’ Instead, he reminded them of our unique position: we aren’t appointed to the coming darkness, but are promised deliverance from the global judgment described below:

1 Thessalonians 5:1-9  But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.  (2)  For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.  (3)  For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.  (4)  But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.  (5)  Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.  (6)  Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.  (7)  For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.  ( 8 )  But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.  (9)  For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

The church is not waiting for the appearing of the Antichrist, but for the redemption of the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Does this excite you, reader? It surely does me! But to the one who is not saved, it is a different story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

Light in the Last Days – Day 6

On By KateIn Devotionals, Light in the Last DaysLeave a comment

Revelation 6:16-17  And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:  (17)  For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

To imagine living in a time where biblical prophecies are actually shifting from “future events” to “current headlines” is both sobering and awe-inspiring. This shift began with Israel becoming a nation on May 15, 1948! (See Ezekiel 11:17, 37:22, and Jeremiah 31:10) It suggests a world where the veil between the physical and spiritual realms is narrowing. For the believer, this isn’t a cause for panic, but a signal to wake up and recognize the weight of the moment. If you’re not born again, I pray that you will be disturbed enough by what you read that it stirs your heart to be saved!!

Today’s verses talk about the wrath of the Lamb that is to come. What is this wrath? Who is going to suffer this wrath? The Lamb is Jesus Christ, the ultimate Judge and Redeemer, and when His judgment upon this earth begins, there will be no turning back; no opportunity for repentance. Each judgment will be worse than the one before, and will come more rapidly, creating fear and despair among those left behind. Jesus spoke of this time as birth pains, illustrating the inevitable and intense nature of these forthcoming tribulations. Just as a woman’s labor pains intensify and come closer together, so too will the end-time events unfold with increasing severity and frequency, overwhelming the world with chaos and a great suffering never seen before. The Rapture of the church will have already happened, a moment of great hope and salvation for believers, and those who remain will find themselves entangled in a horrific time on this earth like no other, known as the Tribulation. This will look like something out of a sci-fi movie but, friend, it will be reality. This intense period is called the time of God’s wrath upon the earth, His response to the unrepentant hearts of mankind. It has been prophesied from the Old Testament, where warnings were issued through the prophets, all the way through to the last book in the New Testament in the Book of Revelation, reinforcing the call for all to recognize the signs and prepare for what is inevitably on the horizon.

It is true that history is marked by cycles of suffering. From the Roman arenas to modern-day conflicts like the killing of Jews and Christians, faith has often been tested by fire. However, the argument here is that these events, while terribly tragic, were “geographically or culturally contained.” They were “shadows” of a larger, global event yet to come.

Revelation 14:10  The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb:

Mid-Tribulation and Post Tribulation believers say that Christians will go through half or all of the Tribulation. However, this doesn’t jive with the Scriptures because the Tribulation saints won’t be delivered from the wrath but will be overcome by it.

Revelation 13:7  And it was given unto him to make war with the saints, and to overcome them: and power was given him over all kindreds, and tongues, and nations.

Proponents of the Pre-Tribulation view argue that Mid and Post-Tribulation theories fail to account for the fundamental nature of the seven-year period.

  • The Promise of Deliverance: The Church is specifically promised that it is not “appointed to wrath” (1 Thessalonians 5:9). If the Tribulation—from the very first seal—is defined as the “wrath of the Lamb,” then the Church must be removed before it begins.
  • A Different Mandate: The Church is promised that “the gates of hell shall not prevail against it,” yet the Tribulation saints are described as being overcome by the beast (Revelation 13:7). This suggests two different groups under two different divine missions.

The fate of believers during the Tribulation stands in distinct contrast to the destiny of the Church. Scripture explicitly states that the Antichrist will be permitted to “make war with the saints and to overcome them” (Daniel 7:21; Revelation 13:7). Their victory is not found in physical escape, but in faithfulness unto death. In contrast, the Church is told to look for a “Blessed Hope”—the imminent return of Christ to rescue them from the “hour of trial” (Revelation 3:10).

The term “saints” simply means “holy ones” or “believers.” Mid and Post-Tribulation views often assume “saints” always refers to the Church. However, the Pre-Tribulation view argues:

  1. The Church is Absent: After Revelation chapter 3, the word “Church” (ekklesia) is never mentioned again until the very end of the book.
  2. A New Group: The “Tribulation Saints” are those who wash their robes in the blood of the Lamb after the Tribulation has already begun. (Revelation 7:14) They endure the wrath that the Church was specifically promised to avoid. As well, their robes are made white. The Bride’s (the Church) robes are made of fine linen, white and clean. (Revelation 19:14)

We are told in the Scriptures that, just as in Noah’s day when God shut the door to the ark, that God will shut the door after the Rapture and no one will be able to escape the Tribulation. Jesus described it in the Parable of the Ten Virgins also. These passages refer to a door being open and shut. When God shut the door to the Ark, Noah and His family were protected. When God shuts the door after the Rapture, the Church will be protected from the wrath of the Lamb.

Matthew 25:6-10  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  (7)  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  ( 8 )  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  (9)  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  (10)  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.

Revelation 3:8,10; 4:1  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.  (10)  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Once the door is shut, no one can enter. Those who are alive at the time appointed by God to Rapture His Church, will be kept from the hour of temptation that will come upon the whole earth. All other times of persecution during history did not occur upon the whole earth, but just parts of it. The antichrist will be in power in order to cause havoc upon the entire earth. The Church has been taken up in the Rapture. The word “church” occurs 80 times in 79 verses in the King James Bible. It is found only seven times in the Book of Revelation and only in chapters 2 and 3; the word churches appears at the end of Revelation. It is not mentioned once in between those chapters. Once Jesus opens the door to Heaven to Rapture the Church, that door is shut and no one can open it. It is done at that point.

Revelation 3:7-8  And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;  (8)  I know thy works: behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name.

The Apostle John was given the opportunity to see and hear what would happen during the Tribulation. God called him up through an opened door. This is indicative of the Rapture of the Church. We now see that the following chapters now refer to the Jews. The Jews rejected Christ at His first coming and the Gospel of Christ was entrusted to the Church until Christ came at the Rapture. After this event, the Jews will come back into the picture and will ultimately see Jesus Christ is their long-awaited Messiah!

If you are a born-again Christian and have never studied this out, I hope you are blessed by it and encouraged in your heart. If you are not born again, I urge you to settle the matter right now! Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

The Bridegroom, the Church, and the Rapture

On By KateIn Any Day Now, DevotionalsLeave a comment

Mat 25:2-13  And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.  (3)  They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:  (4)  But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.  (5)  While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.  (6)  And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.  (7)  Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  ( 8 )  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out.  (9)  But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.  (10)  And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was shut.  (11)  Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.  (12)  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.  (13)  Watch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

How many of you love weddings? I surely do! I especially enjoy reading the history of weddings. I especially love Jewish weddings from the Scriptures and Jewish historical documents. To get a full blessing, you should study the Jewish wedding as compared to Jesus and His church.  If you’re born again, you will be rejoicing as much as I am!

Jesus gave us the parable of the wedding story in the above Scriptures in order to for us to make sure that we are ready for His unknown arriving. Re-read the Scriptures and picture this event in your mind.

I truly believe this is a story about the Rapture of the Church! The act of anointing with oil in the Scriptures usually refers to the Holy Spirit. They would anoint someone to send them out to the mission field. The Christian is anointed with the Holy Spirit upon salvation and He dwells within us never more to leave us, amen?

1 Jn 2:27  But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him.

Let’s pick apart and dissect this portion of Scripture. In this parable of the ten virgins, we see that half are ready while the other half are not. The significant detail of why they are not ready is because half of them had oil (the Holy Spirit) for their lamps and the other half didn’t. The Scriptures refer to them as five foolish virgins and five wise ones. The five that were foolish took their lamps to meet the bridegroom but they didn’t have any oil. They had to leave the five wise virgins to go get some oil. These are symbolic of people who call themselves “Christians” but they are Christians in name only: they are the not saved. They have not been born again and do not have the Holy Spirit dwelling within them (symbolized by the oil). How do I know that they are not born again? Verse 12 in this parable gives us a clear answer:

Mat 25:12  But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.

Joh 10:27  My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:

Jesus, Himself, says that He does not know these five foolish virgins so they cannot be born-again believers! Jesus knows those who follow Him and have the Holy Spirit, who resides within every born-again believer!

Rom 8:9  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Now let’s discuss the five wise virgins (the Church) who have their lamps (they are the light of the world) and their oil (the Holy Spirit). At the moment the Bridegroom comes for His Church, the foolish five virgins who didn’t have oil in their lamps (the Holy Spirit is the result of salvation) were not ready for His coming and when they returned from getting oil, the door was shut to them and Jesus said He knew them not. Wow! The same thing occurs in a Jewish Galilean wedding. When the groom comes to get his bride, he takes her to his father’s house and the door is shut.

Rev 3:10  Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.

Rev 4:1  After this I looked, and, behold, a door was opened in heaven: and the first voice which I heard was as it were of a trumpet talking with me; which said, Come up hither, and I will shew thee things which must be hereafter.

Can you imagine what it will be like after the Rapture when people go to church, and the people who are normally in attendance are no longer there? One of those could even be the pastor! Can you imagine when a person comes to the realization that he was not truly born again and totally missed the Rapture? That opportunity no longer exists and the future looks grim for them. That person will have to go through the awful judgments of the Tribulation! Even worse, whatever the Mark of the Beast turns out to be, anyone who takes it is doomed to spend eternity in the Lake of Fire. (see Revelation 13:17, 14:9, 14:11, 16:2, 19:20, 20:4)

Those entering the Tribulation period will have to make a choice of whether or not he will take the Mark of the Beast! If that person gets saved, he will have to go through the Tribulation even though he is saved! He will suffer the judgments and may even have to be martyred for Christ or go underground struggling to survive. (see Revelation 6:9) Why would one delay accepting Christ? The god of this world has blinded them and deceived them into thinking there is no god. The distractions placed before them keep them from hearing that still small voice of the Holy Spirit calling them to salvation.

I was raised catholic so I never heard of the Rapture before I was saved; but you can be sure that I was very excited to get saved so I would be included in that blessed event! It is very scary to think that many would rather choose to live in sin like the rest of the world rather than getting to know the Lord personally and accept His free salvation!

To the one who is not saved, this could be your story. Friend, it is no coincidence that God has placed you here for such a time as this so that you may be saved. Please click here and the link will open up in a separate tab to You Can Be Born Again and Know It!

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